Africa

Niger’s military rulers kick out Nigerian, US, two other ambassadors

Published

3 years ago

August 26, 2023

Niger’s military rulers kick out Nigerian, US, two others ambassadors

Niger’s military rulers on Friday gave the French, German, Nigerian and US ambassadors 48 hours to quit the country, amid escalating tension over the threat of military action from the West African bloc ECOWAS to reverse the coup.

The ultimatum against the French envoy was quickly rejected by Paris, which repeated that it did not recognise the military rulers’ authority.

The move by the officers now running the country was the latest escalation in deteriorating relations between the new regime in Niamey and several Western powers, as well as the West African bloc ECOWAS. Nigeria currently holds the presidency of ECOWAS.

Paris has repeatedly backed calls by ECOWAS for the reinstatement of president Mohamed Bazoum, who was overthrown on July 26.

In separate letters to their respective governments, Niger’s foreign ministry said the French, German, Nigerian and US envoys should leave the country within 48 hours.

Each letter said it was in response to the refusal of the envoys to respond to an invitation from the ministry for a meeting Friday and other actions of their respective governments “contrary to the interests of Niger”.

On Friday evening, the French foreign ministry said: “The putschists do not have the authority to make this request, the ambassador’s approval coming solely from the legitimate elected Nigerien authorities.”

READ ALSO:

France has 1,500 soldiers based in Niger who had been helping Bazoum in the fight against jihadist forces that have been active in the country for years, while the United States has around a thousand military personnel in the country.

– Pressure from ECOWAS –

Earlier Friday, West Africa’s bloc ECOWAS urged Niger’s coup leaders to reconsider their position and pushed for a return to civilian rule, with the threat of force still “very much on the table”.

While the generals who ousted Bazoum have called for a three-year transition period, the Economic Community of West African States demands the immediate return to constitutional order.

With delegations shuttling into Niamey, ECOWAS said negotiations remained its priority as defence chiefs prepared a standby mission for a possible “legitimate use of force” to restore democracy if needed.

“Even now, it is not too late for the military to reconsider its action and listen to the voice of reason as the regional leaders will not condone a coup d’etat,” ECOWAS commission president Omar Alieu Touray told reporters in Abuja.

“The real issue is the determination of the community to halt the spiral of coup d’etats in the region.”

ECOWAS has already applied sanctions against Niger to pressure the new regime.

The Niger coup has heightened tensions in the Sahel region, where three other governments have fallen to military rebellions since 2020, and jihadists control swathes of territory.

ECOWAS leaders are already negotiating with military administrations in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea who are all working towards transitions to democracy after their own coups.

After initially balking, Niger’s new rulers have said they remain open to negotiations.

But they have sent mixed messages, including a threat to charge Bazoum — who remains detained at the official residence with his family — with treason.

– Aggression –

Niger’s military leaders have also warned against any intervention, accusing ECOWAS of preparing an occupying force in league with an unnamed foreign country.

Niger on Thursday agreed with the regimes in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso to let their troops into its territory in case of an aggression.

READ ALSO:

But Touray dismissed plans for ECOWAS “declaring war” or an “invasion” of Niger, insisting the standby mission would be a legitimate force allowed under ECOWAS statutes agreed by members.

“The instruments include the use of force. So it is very much on the table, as are other measures we are working on,” he said.

“If peaceful means fail, ECOWAS cannot just fold its hands.”

ECOWAS has intervened militarily in past crises, including in civil wars. Few details of the new standby force have emerged.

But preparations for any possible use of military force in Niger are risky and already face political resistance in northern Nigeria, a key player in ECOWAS and the region.

Niger’s northern neighbour Algeria has also warned of disastrous consequences for the region from an intervention.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf this week toured West African countries to try to find a solution to a crisis in which Algiers firmly opposes any military option.

“There is a time for everything and we are currently in the time of finding peaceful solutions,” he said on a visit to Benin.

“Let’s put all our imagination into giving every chance to a political solution.”

Niger’s military rulers kick out Nigerian, US, two others ambassadors

bur/jj/lcm(AFP)

Related Topics:Featured military rulers Niger

Up Next

Coup: Niger Junta orders troops to go on ‘maximum alert’

Don't Miss

ECOWAS grants Islamic leaders nod to continue negotiation with Niger Junta

Africa

Kenya to Charge Nine Students with Murder Over Deadly School Fire That Killed 16 Girls

Published

3 weeks ago

June 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Kenya to Charge Nine Students with Murder Over Deadly School Fire That Killed 16 Girls

Prosecutors approve 16 counts of murder against each suspect after dormitory blaze at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil

Kenyan prosecutors are preparing to charge nine students with murder following a suspected arson attack at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, about 120km north-west of Nairobi, that claimed the lives of 16 pupils aged between 15 and 18 and injured 132 others. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said it had approved 16 counts of murder against each of the suspects after reviewing evidence gathered by investigators into the May 28 tragedy. “Upon careful assessment of the evidence, the Director of Public Prosecutions has approved charges against the implicated students,” the state prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

The suspects, who are all minors, have been in custody under a court-approved detention order as police completed their investigations. Prosecutors argued that additional time was needed to finalize forensic examinations, including DNA analysis and a review of CCTV footage. The students are expected to appear in court in Naivasha to face formal charges, with the ODPP confirming they will face “sixteen (16) counts of murder arising from the incident.”

The fire broke out in the early hours of May 28, tearing through the upper floor of a dormitory that contained 135 bunk beds and housed 202 students. Investigators allege the blaze was a case of arson, started by setting a mattress alight near an exit using paraffin and matchsticks. Tragically, the school matron failed to open an emergency exit, forcing students to flee through a single doorway. The blaze became one of Kenya’s deadliest school fire disasters in recent years, with students jumping from windows to escape the flames and some sustaining severe burns.

READ ALSO:

After interviews with students and staff, and a forensic review of CCTV footage, police identified nine pupils as “persons of interest in connection with the planning and execution” of the fire. CCTV footage obtained from the razed dormitory reportedly showed six students starting the fire moments before students woke up. Detectives have positively identified seven students involved in the arson attack through forensic analysis of CCTV footage. The students were later traced to their homes and brought back to the school for questioning.

The ODPP has expressed concern over a recent rise in cases of arson and related criminal conduct in learning institutions across the country, warning that those responsible would be held accountable. The Kenya Red Cross reported that it had responded to 37 school fire incidents since the beginning of the year. Following the Utumishi fire, over 200 schools across the country experienced unrest, with properties worth millions of shillings destroyed.

Education Minister Julius Ogamba said preliminary findings indicated multiple breaches of safety measures at the school, including overcrowding in dormitories and a locked exit door. He dissolved the school’s board of management and ordered action against the headteacher. The ministry has since closed more than 300 schools following the tragedy. The government has also formed a multi-sectoral team to collect views that will form the basis of strategies to address emerging challenges in the education sector. The Government has announced it will not offer financial bailouts for impacted schools, putting the costs on parents, though it has pledged a taskforce to examine the factors behind school fires.

Kenya has a long history of devastating school fires. The deadliest occurred in 2001 when 67 students died in a dormitory fire in Machakos County. In 2024, a dormitory fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County killed 21 boys, prompting government promises of nationwide school safety audits. Many fires reported in boarding schools have been the result of arson, with disgruntled pupils—angry about disciplinary measures and living conditions—accused of being responsible, while others were caused by accident. Overcrowding in dormitories and the failure to follow safety guidelines, such as keeping exits clear and windows unlocked, have frequently been blamed for the high number of casualties.

Kenya to Charge Nine Students with Murder Over Deadly School Fire That Killed 16 Girls

Africa

Nigerian Migrant Arrested for Alleged Murder of Libyan Boss

Published

4 weeks ago

June 18, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigerian Migrant Arrested for Alleged Murder of Libyan Boss

Security forces in Benghazi, Libya have reportedly apprehended a Nigerian national in connection with the gruesome murder of his Libyan employer. The arrest follows the discovery of the victim’s remains, which were allegedly concealed inside a groundwater tank. Authorities confirmed that the discovery prompted an immediate investigation, leading to the suspect’s identification and subsequent arrest. The suspect is accused of stabbing the victim to death before attempting to hide the body. Local Libyan media outlets, including The Libya Observer, have reported on the incident, though official statements from Libyan law enforcement are still pending.

This incident highlights the precarious conditions that many Nigerian migrants face in Libya. The Nigerian community in Libya is substantial, with its members frequently enduring violence, exploitation, and abuse during periods of political instability. The country has long been a key transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe, and Nigerian expatriates have often been subjected to harsh treatment, arbitrary detention, and violent crimes while navigating the dangerous migration routes through North Africa. The recent murder case adds to growing concerns about the safety of Nigerians living and working in Libya, where law enforcement and protective mechanisms remain weak.

READ ALSO:

The recent arrest bears similarities to a case reported in April 2026, where a Nigerian woman was found dead inside a septic tank in Zawiya city. In that instance, the victim was identified as Alfred Ella, and initial investigations suggested she was killed by her Nigerian boyfriend. The circumstances of her death remained under investigation, and the case drew attention to the vulnerability of Nigerian women in Libya, many of whom face sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and gender-based violence. The recurrence of such incidents involving Nigerian nationals has prompted calls from civil society groups for both the Nigerian government and international organizations to step up protection mechanisms for citizens in conflict-affected regions.

As of press time, the Libyan authorities have not released an official statement detailing the charges against the suspect. The public and diplomatic missions, such as the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are awaiting further clarification from law enforcement regarding the suspect’s identity and the timeline of the alleged crime. The Nigerian government has yet to comment on the case, but observers expect that the Ministry will engage with Libyan authorities to ensure that the suspect receives fair legal representation and that the investigation is conducted transparently. Meanwhile, human rights advocates have called on both governments to improve protections for migrant workers and to ensure that justice is served in this case.

Nigerian Migrant Arrested for Alleged Murder of Libyan Boss

Africa

12 Killed, Nine Injured in Deadly South Africa Mass Shooting

Published

1 month ago

June 10, 2026

Trends Admin

12 Killed, Nine Injured in Deadly South Africa Mass Shooting

At least 12 people have been killed and nine others injured following a deadly mass shooting in Johannesburg, South Africa, in what authorities have described as a coordinated attack by a group of heavily armed suspects.

The incident occurred late Tuesday night at the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg, triggering a major police operation to track down those responsible.

According to South African police, more than 10 gunmen arrived in a white Toyota Quantum minibus and entered the settlement through different access points before opening fire on residents at multiple locations.

A statement issued by police said the suspects were dropped off near a petrol station in Cleveland before moving through the community and shooting indiscriminately.

“It is alleged that more than 10 suspects were dropped off by a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station in Cleveland. The suspects allegedly entered the informal settlement through both entrances and moved through the area, opening fire on residents and community members at multiple locations before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle,” the statement said.

Law enforcement officers were alerted after receiving reports of an active shooting at approximately 11:10 p.m. local time. Upon arrival, emergency responders found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

READ ALSO:

Police confirmed that 11 people died at the scene, while another victim later succumbed to injuries in hospital, bringing the death toll to 12.

The deceased include eight men and four women, while the nine injured victims were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Authorities have yet to establish a motive for the attack, and no arrests had been made as of Wednesday.

Investigators are exploring several possible leads, including whether the massacre may be linked to organised criminal gangs, territorial disputes or illegal mining activities, which have been associated with violent crimes in parts of Gauteng Province.

Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni condemned the killings, describing the attack as “heartless” and “barbaric,” while assuring residents that every available resource is being deployed to apprehend those responsible.

The latest tragedy has once again drawn attention to South Africa’s persistent violent crime crisis. The country continues to record one of the highest homicide rates globally, with authorities reporting an average of about 60 murders every day.

Mass shootings have become a recurring challenge in some South African communities, particularly in informal settlements, townships and areas affected by gang activity.

Security experts have repeatedly warned that the widespread circulation of illegal firearms, combined with organised criminal networks, remains a major driver of violent crime across the country.

The Johannesburg attack comes less than a year after another deadly shooting incident at a tavern in the city left nine people dead, highlighting the ongoing challenge facing law enforcement agencies.

Police have appealed to members of the public with information that could assist investigations to come forward as forensic experts and crime intelligence officers continue their work at the scene.

The attack has sparked fresh concerns about public safety and renewed calls for stronger measures to tackle organised crime and illegal weapons trafficking in South Africa.